Guyana Defends Health Worker Recruitment Strategy Amid U.S. Sanctions Warning Over Cuban Medical Program
Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News.
Amid warnings from the United States Trump administration regarding the use of Cuba’s international medical program, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has clarified that Guyana’s recruitment of foreign healthcare professionals is not limited to Cuba.
At his weekly press conference, Jagdeo responded to questions about the U.S. State Department’s claims that the Cuban program constitutes forced labor and violates human rights. He noted that while Guyana does recruit Cuban healthcare workers, the country ensures compliance with international labor standards.
“We’re working to ensure that the people who come here from Cuba meet the definition and don’t run afoul of the requirements set by the United States of America,” the Vice President stated.
Jagdeo emphasized that Guyana is recruiting healthcare workers from multiple countries, not just Cuba, and that this is part of a broader strategy to staff the country’s growing health sector.
“Right now, we don’t have enough healthcare personnel to offer the expanded level of services that will come with the opening of these new hospitals,” Jagdeo said.
To address the shortage, the government is not only seeking foreign professionals but is also investing in training local Guyanese, particularly nursing assistants and other healthcare workers. Improvements to salaries and working conditions are also being prioritized to retain talent.
Jagdeo emphasized the importance of maintaining high-quality care, even as the local workforce is being developed.
“We don’t want the service to suffer because of the shortage of Guyanese healthcare professionals. We want good quality service until we can fill those positions with our own people.”
As part of its healthcare expansion initiative, Guyana is expected to open five new hospitals this year, thereby significantly increasing access to medical services nationwide.
